The sporting calendar has already been decimated by coronavirus with a large number of events either cancelled or postponed.
Euro 2020 has been put back 12 months, the Masters has been postponed while the French Open has been rescheduled for later in the year – and they are just a few examples.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the sporting events that have yet to be affected but could still come under threat.
Wimbledon
The French Open announced on Tuesday that it would now be played in September, instead of its usual slot in May, meaning Wimbledon is the next grand slam in the calendar, set for the first two weeks in July. It will not have the luxury of postponing, given the short nature of the grass-court season, so the All England Lawn and Tennis Club insists it is planning for the event to go ahead as normal at this time.
Olympic Games
Communique from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 https://t.co/EumE9qtROI
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) March 17, 2020
Although the International Olympic Committee is adamant the biggest sporting event in the world will go ahead in Japan in August, there is serious doubt whether that will actually happen. Athletes’ preparations, and qualification events for the Games, have been thrown into disarray and reports say the British Olympic Association is “90 per cent” sure the global showpiece will be cancelled.
The Open
The Masters and PGA Championships have already been postponed and the US Open in early June looks in doubt. Nothing yet has been said by the organisers of the only major outside the United States, set for the Royal St George’s between July 16 and 19.
British Grand Prix
The first five races of the season have been cancelled, with Formula One hoping to begin the season at the end of May. That is when the circuit traditionally heads to Europe, though, so questions over that start date and even the British Grand Prix on July 19 must be raised.
Tour de France
💛 Here, on the 18th of July (and with a little less snow), we'll find out who'll be crowned winner of the #TDF2020. ❄
💛Le 18 juillet (avec un peu moins de neige), c’est ici que l’on connaîtra le vainqueur du #TDF2020. ❄ pic.twitter.com/7U47HlZH9F
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) March 4, 2020
With France currently in lockdown due to a heavy outbreak of the virus, cycling’s most prestigious event must be under threat. Tour director Christian Prudhomme has previously said “Only two world wars have stopped the Tour de France”, but the race, scheduled for June 27-July 19, could be postponed.
County cricket season
Given the current climate and a scheduled start date of April 12, with many events after this already postponed, it is impossible to see the two-tier County Championship starting as planned.
US Open tennis
An update on the 2020 US Open. pic.twitter.com/YfhnsKdvBD
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) March 17, 2020
Although the French Open organisers unilaterally decided they would reschedule for just a week after the US Open is due to the finish, American tournament counterparts are “assessing the possibility of moving the tournament to a later date”. As things stand, though, they plan on playing in its August 24-September 14 slot.
World Snooker Championships
Snooker’s flagship event at the Crucible in Sheffield is due to be played between April 18 and May 4 but at this moment it seems unthinkable for it to go ahead. The theatre itself has closed amid the coronavirus outbreak and the Tour Championship set for next week has been postponed.
Derby
All horse racing in the UK has been suspended until the end of April, so it remains to be seen whether the calendar will be up and running by the time the Derby at Epsom – a flagship race usually attended by the Queen – on June 6 will survive.
T20 World Cup
Given it is so far away, the International Cricket Council is confident the 16-team tournament due to be played in Australia during October and November will go ahead.
